Italy's competition regulator has launched a preliminary investigation into Apple's compliance with the European Digital Markets Act, specifically examining whether the company is blocking third-party cloud services from accessing key iOS and iPadOS features. The probe centers on interoperability obligations that require Apple to allow rival consumer cloud providers to work effectively with its platforms.

The Italian Competition Authority found evidence that alternative cloud storage services cannot perform full device backups on iOS and iPadOS, putting them at a disadvantage compared to iCloud. Under DMA rules, third-party providers should have equal access to software features without charge. This limitation prevents competitors from offering complete backup solutions that match Apple's native integration.

This marks the first DMA investigation by Italy's watchdog, though national regulators across Europe have been actively scrutinizing Big Tech compliance. The authority plans to share findings with the European Commission, which serves as the sole enforcer of DMA penalties. Companies found in violation face fines of up to 10% of worldwide annual revenue.

The investigation reflects growing pressure on Apple to open its ecosystem to competitors, following similar DMA-related actions in other EU markets. Apple has previously cited regulatory concerns for limiting new features like enhanced Siri AI and Tap to Share in European markets, suggesting the company may struggle to balance compliance with its integrated hardware-software approach.